BRICS a mechanism to promote Global South: Russian envoy

Ahead of the 16^th BRICS summit in Kazan, Centre for Global India Insights and India Writes Network organised an online conference titled, “BRICS 2.0: New Members, New Horizons,” in New Delhi on October 18. The conference focused on the ramifications of the planned BRICS expansion and the evolving role of the grouping in shaping a multipolar world.

Russia’s Ambassador to India H.E. Denis Alipov delivered keynote address at the conference, in which he enunciated Russia’s position on the planned expansion of BRICS at the Kazan summit and highlighted the importance of the expanded BRICS in promoting interests of the Global South.

The conference was moderated by Manish Chand, CEO, Centre for Global India Insights and Editor, “India’s G20 legacy: Shaping a New World Order.”

Text of the speech by Russia’s Ambassador to India H.E. Denis Alipov

Dear friends,

Greetings to all of you! My words of appreciation to Manish Chand, CEO & Director of the Centre for Global India Insights for giving the opportunity
to exchange the views on BRICS on the threshold of the 16th Summit that will take place shortly in the Russian city of Kazan starting on October 22. We look forward to welcoming Honorable Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi along with around 40 other prominent leaders to participate in regular and Outreach/BRICS Plus sessions. The motto of the Russian presidency and the forthcoming summit
is “Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Development and Security”.

I would like to particularly welcome newly appointed South African High Commissioner to India Dr Anil Sooklal, the longest serving BRICS Sherpa, whose expertise in BRICS is undisputed.

BRICS is a multidimensional phenomenon. It has become an influential platform for developing and emerging economies to take forward a rich agenda and to promote democratization of the global governance reflective of our growing influence. It offers a diversified, inclusive and consensus-based cooperation within more than 80 sectoral tracks structured into the three baskets: policy and security, economy and finance and humanitarian and cultural ties.

BRICS respects civilizational diversity and offers the platform for mutually beneficial dialogue free from pressure, double standards or interference in domestic affairs. No wonder that a large number of countries has expressed interest in joining, and we see it natural for BRICS to expand in one way or another. After our membership has doubled last year, which is itself a landmark, we move towards the establishment of a partner-country category to enable interested states to join our practical cooperation.

We think we must satisfy their expectations that would consolidate BRICS potential as a dedicated mechanism to promote the agenda of the Global South. I would not prejudge who exactly will be invited, and what are the criteria, but certainly, those countries should be economically ambitious and oppose illegitimate sanctions against member-states. I presume we are all against the phantom itching for dictate and restricting cooperation with other nations.

The case in point is that geopolitical and practical relevance of BRICS is growing not only despite uncertainties, but because of them reflecting the demand for a more equitable cooperation in a multipolar environment.

Around 200 events have already taken place under the Russian presidency this year as a testimony that the expanded BRICS has succeeded. Our main focus was to ensure a smooth adaptation of new members to the BRICS culture as well as traditions and overall eco-system. With new members, BRICS represents over 30% of the world’s land area, 45% of the population, 40% of oil production, up to 25% of export. The combined GDP of BRICS nations has long surpassed that of the G7. One of the biggest values has been the sincere dedication to find amicable solutions and a common ground when it comes to difficult issues.

We highly appreciate the support of our presidency in this regard. Much welcomed was the participation of Honorable Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in the BRICS Parliamentary Forum in July in Saint Petersburg and other high Indian officials in various meetings. Regular involvement of NSA Ajit Doval in the BRICS high-level meetings on security matters is always critically important.

We have conducted ministerial meetings on foreign affairs, education, environment, agriculture, sports, tourism, transport, space. Exciting and future-oriented were the newly launched Nuclear Medicine working group, Academic, Ocean and Polar Science Fora, Fire Drills, Film Festival, Sports Games. We have held counter-terrorism, intellectual property and standardization, industry, customs, climate change, policy planning, nano-technologies, SMEs support, energy transition tracks, Youth Summit as well as Women, Digital, Business and Fashion fora, Cultural Festival and many others.

Pursuing the goals of sustainable economic development, we concentrate on expanding the NDB-sponsored infrastructure projects, currently exceeding USD 35 bn. We are coherently moving towards creating reliable payment mechanisms through the use of national currencies as well as the dialogue on digital currencies as priority areas. A need of the hour is to have an alternative to the SWIFT system in order to make our transactions independent and uninterrupted to promote deeper integration of our national financial systems.

As like-minded countries, we closely coordinate on various international issues, primarily on the G20 agenda to ensure that the developing nations are getting an equal access to technological, financial and natural resources in order to remove development gaps and achieve sustainable development goals. Consecutive presidency of BRICS members India, Brazil and South Africa in this global forum is crucial for fulfilling the needs and aspirations of the developing world.

As it was reiterated by President Putin, the main task of the Russian Chairmanship is to create favorable conditions for all participants to efficiently use our economic, investment, technological and human resources potential for the best interests of our nations, and at the same time to strengthen a constructive contribution of BRICS to make the world more secured and harmonious.

Thank you!

Author Profile

India Writes Network: India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) is an emerging think tank and a media-publishing company focused on international affairs & the India Story. Centre for Global India Insights is the research arm of India Writes Network. To subscribe to India and the World, write to editor@indiawrites.org. A venture of TGII Media Private Limited, a leading media, publishing and consultancy company, IWN has carved a niche for balanced and exhaustive reporting and analysis of international affairs. Eminent personalities, politicians, diplomats, authors, strategy gurus and news-makers have contributed to India Writes Network, as also “India and the World,” a magazine focused on global affairs.